Chair of L’Arche UK set to leave his post

A charity chair who faced sex abuse allegations is stepping down from his post this week.

However, learning difficulties charity L’Arche UK said Brian McGinnis was leaving the role anyway because he had come to the end of his four-year term, and that it was nothing to do with the allegations, which emerged last week.

McGinnis was arrested twice, in 2001 and 2005, over separate rape allegations, but no charges were brought in either case.L’Arche UK said it had been made fully aware by McGinnis of the allegations and he had withdrawn from any contact with people with learning difficulties.

A spokesperson added: “These were allegations and nothing was ever brought against him as a charge.”